INFOTRAK VOP POLL – JULY 2023
State of the Nation: July 2023
A nationally representative telephone survey of 2,400 adult Kenyans capturing sentiment on the direction of the country, the high cost of living, and the newly passed Finance Act 2023. Fieldwork ran 3rd–8th July 2023 across all 47 counties and 8 regions.
Poll Methodology
How the survey was run, and who was interviewed
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When was the survey conducted?
3rd – 8th July, 2023.
How was it conducted?
Quantitative interviews were conducted through Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI).
Sample
The survey sample achieved was 2,400, representing the universe of adult Kenyans 18 years and above. The sampling frame was designed using Population Proportionate to Size (PPS), guided by the 2019 Census.
Geographical coverage
The survey covered all 47 counties and 8 regions of Kenya. To ensure national representativeness, the distribution of the sample across regions was proportionately allocated.
Margin of error & response rate
±2.1% at a 95% degree of confidence, with a 94% response rate.
Weighting & analysis
Where achieved interviews differed slightly from intended proportions per demographic group, the dataset was weighted to correct for over/under sampling. Data was processed and analysed using SPSS version 26.
| Region | Adult Population (Millions) | Regional % | Sample Achieved |
|---|
Direction of the Country
Wrong-direction sentiment is the highest since December 2020
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Overall, which direction do you think the country is headed? (n=2,400)
Public sentiment that Kenya is headed in the wrong direction is the highest since December 2020 — worse than during the COVID pandemic. All demographic groups (gender, age, rural/urban) register high dissatisfaction.
Why Kenyans Feel the Country Is Headed Right or Wrong
High cost of living dominates; the President is seen as accountable either way
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Why do you think the country is going in the right/wrong direction?
Reasons for Right Direction (n=357)
Reasons for Wrong Direction (n=1,720)
Those Responsible — Right Direction (n=357)
Those Responsible — Wrong Direction (n=1,720)
Key Issues of Concern
High cost of living and unemployment are the top two issues Kenyans want addressed urgently
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Could you kindly mention the three key issues that concern you as a Kenyan and that should be addressed as a matter of priority? (n=2,400)
March 2023
July 2023
The need for cost of living to be addressed has increased by 13 points since March 2023 (72% → 85%).
Other Mentions (July 2023, within the 13% “Others”)
- Subsidy on farm inputs
- Empowerment of women and the youth
- Ethnicity/Tribalism
- Equal distribution of resources
- Public participation
- Drug and substance abuse
- Environmental conservation
- Disaster management
- Land issues
- Sewage and sanitation
Cost of Living: How High, and Where
87% of Kenyans think the cost of living is currently high, and the feeling is everywhere
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How would you rate the current cost of living? (n=2,400)
Combined: High 87% · Average 9% · Low 4%.
What’s Driving the High Cost of Living
Fuel prices, high taxation and inflation top the list
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If rated high or very high, what would you say has caused the high cost of living? (n=2,070)
Cost of Living: Now vs a Year Ago
82% of Kenyans feel the cost of living is much higher than before
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How would you compare the cost of living now and a year ago? (n=2,400)
The Finance Act 2023: Awareness & Economic Impact
87% are aware of the Act; a majority don’t expect it to help the economy
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Have you heard about the Finance Act, 2023? (n=2,400)
The Finance Act 2023: Support & Civil Disobedience
73% don’t support the passed Act; most who oppose it back civil disobedience
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Do you support the passed Finance Act, 2023? (n=2,400)
Within those who support civil disobedience specifically, the preferred forms are Peaceful Demonstrations/Protests (32%), Tax Boycotts (15%) and Sit-ins (13%).
Respondent Demographics
Who was interviewed for this poll (n=2,400)
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Age
Religion
Gender
Employment
Level of Education
About InfoTrak Research & Consulting
Who conducted this poll
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About InfoTrak
InfoTrak Research and Consulting is a professional research company founded and incorporated under the laws of Kenya in 2004, following the vision of the founder to provide the Pan-African market with suitable information solutions for the needs of the ever-growing economies. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, InfoTrak also has affiliate offices in Lagos, Nigeria, and field contacts in more than 20 other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Infotrak has proven to be an integral and reliable partner not only in providing business solutions but also governance & public policy insights.”
Vision, Mission & Belief
Vision: To be the leading Market & Social research firm in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Mission: To be a one-stop information solutions provider to clients who want to be leaders in their fields.
Belief: Information is power. Only those who really know how to use it become truly powerful. At InfoTrak, we place the power of information in your hands.
